Pit bull in McMinnville killed after attack on two women

A police officer shot a pit bull dead after it attacked two women, including the dog’s owner, in McMinnville on Tuesday.

According to McMinnville Police, officers responded to a reported dog attack in the 600 block of Southeast Border Lane at 8:30 a.m. Officers arrived to find Celeste Burnham being attacked by a 70-pound gray pit bull as she tried to shield her smaller dog from the animal.

Captain Matt Scales said the pit bull’s owner, Amanda McCommons was holding it by its collar in an attempt to keep the dog off Burnham.

When police arrived, Scales said, the pit bull slipped out of its collar and proceeded to attack an officer. The officer then shot the dog three times to stop it from attacking.

Burnham and McCommons were transported to Willamette Valley Medical Center. Marks said Burnham appeared to have minor injuries on her leg. McCommons suffered a broken arm and serious lacerations to her arms and fingers from trying to restrain her dog.

The pit bull died at the scene.

A bystander took Burnham’s dog to a local veterinary clinic for minor injuries.

Marks said members of the Yamhill County Dog Control later took custody of a second pit bull belonging to McCommons. Marks said the second pit bull may have been involved in the attack as well.

Deputy Jodie Whiting of Yamhill County Dog Control said neither dog had any known history of attacks against pedestrians or other dogs.

McMinnville police and Yamhill County Dog Control are investigating the attack.